By Dave Dahl

SPRINGFIELD– Even though Illinois has implemented a new education funding formula, there is still plenty to talk about concerning the classrooms.

At a City Club of Chicago panel discussion, State Rep. Will Davis (D-Homewood) – House sponsor of the “evidence-based formula” – says small districts in his south suburban district have problems.

“Unfortunately, we’ve got school board members trying to run schools. Unfortunately, that’s a recipe for disaster,” Davis said. “You’re going to see good people come in, and the moment they disagree with the school board, then the school board is targeting them” for dismissal, and those teachers leave at the first opportunity.

Advance Illinois president Robin Steans said the college-readiness graduation rate is about a third, and former State Sen. / former Chicago city clerk Miguel del Valle said there’s another path.

“We need to do more to look at career readiness and provide students with more options,” he said. “This is nothing we haven’t been talking about, but when you look at the funding line for college and career technical education, it’s not a whole lot of money.”

The program was part of Steans’ group’s annual “The State We’re In” report.

http://www.advanceillinois.org/publications/the-state-were-in/

Reach Dave Dahl at [email protected]